Australia’s ASX 200 lost 37 points, or 0.4%, to finish at 8,665 on Friday, its second consecutive session of losses. Sticky inflation has strengthened expectations of further rate hikes after three moves earlier this year, while investors await next week’s Reserve Bank policy decision and August inflation data. July inflation exceeded forecasts and remained above the central bank’s 2–3% target band. August labor data was mixed, with unemployment rising to a near five-year high of 4.6% even as employment increased more than expected. Most sectors declined, led by technology, consumer services and logistics. Mineral Resources fell 4.8%, PLS Group dropped 3.7%, REA Group lost 3.2% and Xero declined 2.8%. The index fell 0.8% for the week, its fourth straight weekly decline. In the U.S., a summit between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping produced no breakthroughs on key geopolitical issues, although the countries extended their trade truce.